Apparatus for forming slitting roll

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for forming a plurality of axially directed ribs on the peripheral surface of a slitting roll or the like. The apparatus comprises elements for rotatably mounting the roll, elements for linearly reciprocating a grinding wheel or the like along the periphery of the roll to form an axially directed channel therein, elements for indexing the roll so as to form a plurality of adjacent parallel channels defining ribs therebetween, and elements for oscillating the roll during the movement of the grinding wheel such that the ribs extend along a helix angle.

1 APPARATUS FOR FORMING SLITTING ROLL [75] Inventor: Brendan L. Doll, Patterson, NC.

[73] Assignee: Cellu Products Company, Patterson,

22 Filed: Man 22,1973 21 Appl. No 343,679

[52] U.S.Cl Sl/34 F,51/48 HE,5l/216 ND [51] Int. Cl..... B24b 19/02, B24b 47/10, B241) 3/00 [58] Field of Search 51/34 C-34 G, 51/36, 37, 48 HE, 48 R, 216 ND, 288; 90/1 15-1166, 57

[4 1 Feb. 11, 1975 1,769,870 7/1930 Traud 51/48 HE X 1,931,684 10/1933 Aker 51/288 2,180,911 11/1939 Rogers 51/48 HE Primary Examiner-Donald G. Kelly Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for forming a plurality of axially directed ribs on the peripheral surface of a slitting roll or the like. The apparatus comprises elements for rotatably mounting the roll, elements for linearly reciprocating a grinding wheel or the like along the periphery of the roll to form an axially directed channel therein, elements for indexing the roll so as to form a plurality of adjacent parallel channels defining ribs therebetween, and elements for oscillating the roll during the movement of the grinding wheel such that the ribs extend along a helix angle.

18 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB l I I975 SHEET 3 OF 5 PATEHIED FEB! 1 I975 SHEEF 0F 5 PATEN'TEB FEB] 1 I975 SHEET 5 BF 5 APPARATUS FOR FORMING SLITTING ROLL The present invention relates to an apparatus for forming a slitting roll having a plurality of axially directed ribs covering the surface thereof.

In copending application Ser. No. 343,678 filed concurrently herewith by the present applicant and Grover C. Currie as joint inventors, and entitled -APPARA- TUS FOR PROCESSING FOAM SHEET MATE- RIAL, there is disclosed an apparatus for slitting and opening elongated foam sheet material or the like to form an open, net-like, cushioning material. The apparatus disclosed therein includes slitting meanscomprising a slitting roll and a mating anvil roll forming a nip therebetween through which the advancing sheet material passes. The slitting roll has a plurality of axially directed ribs forming rows of spaced cutting blades on the surface thereof, the rows extending along a small helix angle with respect to the axis of the roll. Further details of the structural nature and construction of a slitting roll of the described type may be obtained from another copending application Ser. No. 343,677 also filed concurrently herewith by the present applicant and Grover C. Currie as joint inventors, and entitled SLITTING ROLL AND METHOD F FABRICAT- ING SAME."

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for forming the axially directed ribs in a slitting roll of the type described in the above copending applications, and in particular the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for sharpening such cutting blades, either as part of the initial fabrication of the roll or as a resharpening operation after use.

It is accordingly an object-of the present invention to provide an apparatus for efficiently forming a plurality of axially directed ribs on the peripheral surface of a slitting roll or the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the described type which is adapted to form axially directed ribs on the surface of a slitting roll and which extend along a relatively small helix angle with respect to the axis of the roll.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the described type having a drive system whichessentially eliminates back-lash to insure accurate alignment of the rib forming means with the roll.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in the embodiment illustrated herein by the provision of an apparatus which includes means for rotatably mounting the roll on the frame, means for linearly reciprocating a carriage mounting a rotatable machining wheel or the like along the periphery of the roll to form a channel therein, means for periodically indexing the roll so as to form a plurality of adjacent parallel channels with ribs being defined therebetween, and means for oscillating the roll during the movement of the carriage such that the ribs extend along a small helix angle. An interconnected cable drive system is employed to reciprocate the carriage and oscillate the roll to thereby essentially eliminate back-lash in the apparatus.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an apparatus embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of-the apparatus shown in FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is a somewhat enlarged end elevation view illustrating the indexing means and air control system of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the carriage and rotatable machining wheel of the present invention; and I I FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the oscillating drum and indexing wheel of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary rear elevation view of the apparatus shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the oscillating drum in a different orientation;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary end elevation view illustrating the arms of the indexing means in their alternate position from that shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 99 of FIG. 8 and illustrating the pivotal and translatable arm of the indexing means; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l0l0 of FIG. 8 and further illustrating the pivotal and translatable arm.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the illustrated apparatus comprises a frame 12 which includes the vertical legs 13 and 14 and a horizontal beam 15 defining a horizontal upper surface 16. A pair of chucks l7 and 18 are carried by the horizontal beam above the surface 16, the chucks serving to rotatably and releasably mount the cylindrical slitting roll 20 on the frame. The roll 20 thus may be positioned to extend horizontally in spaced relation above the surface 16, and defines a horizontally disposed central axis.

A carriage 22 is slideably mounted on said frame such that it may be translated along a linear path of travel extending parallel to said central axis and along and beyond the peripheral surface of the roll 20. More particularly, the carriage 22 is slideably supported by a trackway which comprises a pair of horizontally directed, spaced rails 24 and 25 which are fixedly mounted upon the surface 16 and which extendlongitudinally beyond both ends of the roll 20 as best seen in FIG. 2. The carriage in turn mounts a grinding wheel 27 which is mounted for rotation about an axis extending perpendicular to but spaced from the central axis of the apparatus. Also, the periphery or cutting edge of the wheel 27 has a V-shaped cross sectional profile which defines a plane which includes the central axis, note FIG. 4. The carriage further mounts an electric motor 28 for powering the grinding wheel via the drive belt 29, and also a delivery tube 30 from a conventional water mist spray coolant device 31 as hereinafter further described.

The carriage 22 further comprises a lower portion 32 having a pair of tubular sleeves 33 and 34 overlying the rails 24 and 25 respectively, and an upper portion 35 mounting the grinding wheel 27 and motor 28 and which may be translated laterally with respect to the lower portion. An adjustment screw 36 is provided for manually controlling the lateral displacement of the upper portion 35 and thus the extent to which the grinding wheel 27 cuts into the surface of the roll 20.

The lower portion 32 of the carriage also mounts a slotted bracket 37 on the front side thereof for the purposes hereinafter described.

To reciprocate the carriage 22 along the trackway defined by the rails 24 and 25, there is provided a pair of drive wheels 38 and 39 rotatably mounted on the frame. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, one of the drive wheels is mounted at each end of the trackway and in alignment therewith. Also, each of the drive wheels is mounted for rotation about an axis which extends perpendicular to the central axis. An intermediate guide wheel 40 is positioned on the surface 16 adjacent the drive wheel 38, and a cable 41 is entrained about the two drive wheels and guide wheel 40, and is fixedly connected to the carriage 22. Since the drive wheel 38 is at a level below that of the wheel 39, the guide wheel 40 serves to lift the cable 41 so that the upper portion thereof extends in a horizontal direction.

The drive wheel 38 is rotated about its axis by a reversible air motor 42 (FIG. 3) and interconnecting drive belt 43. The motor 42 is operatively controlled by an air control system which includes the motor switch 44 acting through the conventional four way air operated motor control valve 46. Generally described, air is delivered to the switch 44 through the air line 47, and the switch 44 controls the delivery of this air through the line 48 to the valve 46. Two air lines 49 and 50 lead from the valve 46 to the motor 42 to control its direction of rotation and the valve 46 functions to direct air into one or the other of the lines 49 and 50 depending upon the presence of air in the line 48 from the switch 44.

The motor switch 44 is controlled by a control rod 52 which is slideably mounted on the frame along the front side edge of the upper surface 16 as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. More particularly, the rod 52 is slideably mounted between the brackets 53 and 54 which are fixedly mounted at the ends of the frame, and the rod includes an enlarged shoulder 55 for actuating the switch 44 when positioned thereon. Also, the rod 52 is positioned to extend through the slot in the bracket 37 and it fixedly mounts a pair of spaced abutments 56 and 57 which are adapted to be engaged by the bracket 37 to linearly translate the rod between a first position wherein the shoulder 55 is in engagement with the switch 44 (note FIG. 1), and a second position wherein the shoulder 55 is translated toward the right and is not in engagement with the switch 44. Thus as the carriage moves to the right as seen in FIG. 1, the bracket 37 will engage the abutment 57 when the carriage is positioned beyond the end of the roll 20, and the rod 52 will be translated thereby toward the right to withdraw the shoulder 55 from the switch 44. When this occurs, the direction of rotation of the air motor 42 will be reversed and the carriage will return toward the left, leaving the rod 52 in its second position. When the carriage passes the left end of the roll 20, the bracket 37 will engage the abutment 56 to translate the rod 52 toward the left and thus again bring the shoulder 55 into contact with the switch 44. The carriage will continue to reciprocate in this manner, and as will be apparent, the use of the cable drive system serves to effectively prevent any back-lash" in the system between the relative positions of the carriage and drive wheels 38 and 40.

The apparatus of the present invention also includes means for periodically indexing the roll about the central axis a predetermined angle during that portion of the travel of the carriage wherein the grinding wheel 27 is beyond the ends of the roll and free of all contact therewith. By this arrangement, a plurality of adjacent parallel axially directed channels may be formed in the peripheral surface of the roll 20. Where the grinding wheel has a V-shaped peripheral surface as shown in FIG. 4, an axially extending rib will be defined between each pair of the channels, the ribs having a corresponding inverted V-shaped profile. Also, it will be understood that the predetermined angle by which the roll is periodically indexed is evenly divisible into 360 so that the channels conform to the previously formed channels as the roll is indexed beyond 360, and complete relatively sharp ribs are formed.

The means for periodically indexing the roll as described above comprises an indexing wheel 60 which is fixedly connected to the chuck 17 by means of the shaft 62. The indexing wheel includes a plurality of gear teeth 61 about the periphery thereof and is adapted to be coaxially and fixedly connected to the roll 20, note FlG. 5. The shaft 62 is rotatably carried on the frame by the tubular housing 64, which is mounted on the surface 16. A drum 65 having a cylindrical peripheral surface 66 and a front transverse face 67 is positioned such that the face 67 is immediately adjacent the indexing wheel 60. The drum 65 serves as part of the means for oscillating the roll as hereinafter further described, but the drum also functions to interconnect the indexing wheel 60 to the frame 12 of the apparatus. More particularly, the drum 65 pivotally and translatably mounts a first arm 68 on the front face 67 so that the arm is positioned immediately adjacent the periphery of the indexing wheel as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 8. The arm 68 has a rack of gear teeth 69 carried at one end thereof, and a piston rod 70 from the air cylinder 71 is connected at the opposite end. The air cylinder 71 is also pivotally carried on the front face 67 of the drum 65 for the purposes to become apparent.

The first arm 68 further includes a slot 72 intermediate the ends thereof and extending in a direction which is generally parallel to a tangent to the periphery 66 of the drum 65. A pivot pin 73 extends through the slot and is rotatably threaded into the face 67 of the drum as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. A friction pad 74 of suitable plastic or the like is positioned between the pin 73 and slot 72 of the arm to resist translation of the arm along the pin while permitting free pivotal movement therebetween. The pad 74 comprises upper and lower mating segments 75 and 76 respectively, and the degree of friction exerted by the pad 74 may be controlled by adjustment of the interconnecting screws 77. The first arm 68 further carries a pair of adjustable abutments 78 and 79 at opposite ends of the slot 72 for limiting the the maximum movement of the arm in relation to the pin 73.

The air cylinder 71 is pivotally connected to the face 67 of the drum 65 by the pin 81, and is operatively connected to a pair of air lines 83 and 84. These lines are operatively connected to the air control system as hereinafter further described. With the arm 68 positioned as shown in FIG. 8, air may be introduced into the cylinder 71 through the line 83 such that the piston rod 70 is thrust outwardly to initially pivot the first arm about the pin 73 such that the rack 69 moves into operative engagement with the gear teeth 61 of the indexing wheel. Further outward movement of the piston rod 70 causes the arm to forwardly translate along the slot 72 to rotate the indexing wheel a predetermined angle which is controlled by the positioning of the abutment 78. It will be noted that the arm 68 initially pivots prior to any translation thereof since this represents the path of least resistance. Similarly, when the air is introduced through the line 84, the piston rod 70 is withdrawn to first pivot the rack 69 out of engagement with the indexing wheel teeth 61, and then rearwardly translate the arm to return the same to its initial position.

A second arm 85 is mounted on the front face 67 of the drum 65 and is adapted to pivot about the pin 87 which is carried by the drum. The second arm has a rack of gear teeth 88 at one end thereof, and the other end is operatively connected to the piston rod 89 of the air cylinder 90. The air cylinder 90 is pivotally mounted on the front face 67 by the pin 91, and is operatively controlledby the air lines 92 and 93 which are also connected to the air control system as hereinafter further. described. Suffice it to say at this point that the air control system serves to actuate the air cylinder 90 to pivot the second arm 85 such that its rack 88 moves out of operative engagement with the indexing wheel gear teeth 61 when the first arm 68' moves into engagement therewith, and the second arm 85 is pivotally returned such that its rack moves into operative engagement with the indexing wheel gear teeth when the first arm 68 moves out of engagement therewith. As part of the air control system for controlling this cyclical operation, there is provided an indexing switch 94 which is carried by the frame immediately adjacent the periphery of the drum 65, note FIG. 7. The switch 94 controls the flow of air from the line 95 to the line 96 and the line 96 leads to the index control valve 98 which comprises a four-way air operated valve similar in construction to the valve 46. The valve 98 is operatively connected to the branch lines 100 and 101, which in turn are connected to the lines 84 and 92, and 83 and 93, respectively. The switch 94 is actuated by the plate 102 carried by the drum 65 so that the indexing cycle is actuated at the termination of each complete reciprocation of the carriage 22 along the trackway and as hereinafter further described.

The apparatus of the present invention also incorporates means for oscillating the roll about the central axis during the portion of the travel of the carriage 22 wherein the grinding wheel 27 is in operative engagement with the peripheral surface of the roll such that the axially directed ribs are disposed alonga helix on the peripheral surface. As will become apparent from the following description, the speed and direction of such oscillation are coordinated to the speed and direction of the reciprocating carriage such that the grinding wheel will follow the same channel during each complete reciprocation of the carriage.

The oscillating means includes the shaft 62 and drum 65 as described above, and further comprises means operatively connecting the drum to the reciprocating means whereby the drum 65 and roll 20 are oscillated about the central axis in accordance with the movement of the reciprocating carriage. More particularly, the means interconnecting the drum and reciprocating means comprises a second shaft 105 coaxially and fixedly connected to the drive wheel 38. The shaft 105 is rotatably carried by the frame, and a second cable 106 is entrained about the shaft 105 and overlies the periphery of surface 66 of the drum such that rotation of the shaft 105 about its axis causes a corresponding rotation of the drum 65 about the central axis of the apparatus. Since the drum 65 is effectively interconnected to the indexing wheel 60 by means of the first and second arms 68 and 85, it will be apparent that the shaft 20 will oscillate about its axis at a speed and direction coordinated to the speed and direction of the reciprocating carriage. Also, the interconnecting cable 106 insures that there will be no back-lash in the drive system.

The air control system for the apparatus of the present invention is best seen in FIG. 2, and comprises an entering air line 110 leading from a suitable source (not shown) of pressurized air. The line 110 is first connected across a conventional filter 111, regulator 112, and oiler 113. From the oiler 113, one line 114 branches to power the water mist spray system 31 for the grinding wheel 27 (note FIG. 1). A second branch line 116 leads to a hand operated regulator 118 which supplies air to the line 47 leading to the motor switch 44, and alsoto the line 95 leading to the indexing switch 94.

The line 116 is also connected via the adjustable flow control valve 120 to the motor control valve 46. Thus the air entering the valve 46 is directed through one or the other of the lines 49 and 50 to power the air motor 42, and adjustment of the flow control valve 120 will controlthe speed of operation thereof. The line 116 is further connected across the hand operated regulator 122 to the index control valve 98 such that the air from the line 1 16 is directed through one or the other of the lines 100 and 101. A pressure valve 123 is also connected to the line 116 to indicate the pressure therein,

which typically is about psi. It will be understood that all of the above individual components of the air control system are conventional and well known to those skilled in the art. I

To describe the operation of the present apparatus, it will be assumed that the carriage 22 is initially in the position shown in FIG. 1 and moving toward the right. It will also be assumed that the switch 44 is open to permit air to flow through the line 48 to the control valve 46, and the indexing switch 94 is closed which causes the arms 68 and to assume the position shown in FIG. 8 by reason of air being directed into the line from the valve 98. When the carriage moves past the right end of the roll 20 and out of engagement therewith, the bracket 37 on the carriage will contact the abutment 57 to translate the control rod 52 to the right and thereby remove the shoulder 55 from the switch 44 to close the passage of air in the line 48. The valve 46 will then change the line into which the air is flowing to the motor 42 to thereby reverse its direction of rotation. This causes the drive wheel 38 to rotate in the opposite direction and the carriage 22 to start toward the left as seen in FIG. 1. Concurrently, the drive drum 65 will be caused to reverse its direction of rotation by reason of its interconnection to the shaft by the cable 106.

When the carriage 22 moves past the left end of the roll 20 as seen in FIG. 1, the bracket 37 will contact the abutment 56 to cause the shoulder 55 to once again contact the switch 44. By design, the plate 102 on the drum 65 will contact the switch 94 substantially concurrently with the actuation of the switch 44. During the brief period when the switch 94 is opened, air is directed'into the line 96 to the index control valve 98, and the valve 98 in turn reverses the air line into which the air is being directed from the line 1 16. In particular, air is then delivered into line 101 to cause the piston rod 70 of the air cylinder 70 to be thrust outwardly and the piston rod 89 of the air cylinder 90 to be withdrawn. Thus the first arm 68 is pivoted about the pin 73 and then translated forwardly such that its rack 69 moves into operative engagement with the indexing wheel and then forwardly rotates the same. As soon as the direction of reciprocation has been reversed by the switch 44, the plate 102 is withdrawn from the switch 94 to terminate the passage of air in the line 96, thus causing the air to again be directed into the line 100. Thus the piston rods 70 and 89 of the air cylinder 71 and 90 are returned to their initial positions as shown in FIG. 8.

As will be understood, the extent of the oscillation of the roll 22 can be controlled by designing the relative diameters of the drum 65, shaft 105, and the drive wheel 38. Typically, such oscillation will cover about 80 as illustrated in FIG. 8, resulting in a helix angle of between about 2 and for the ribs on the roll 20 with respect to the axis thereof. Also, it will be understood that the apparatus will employ the illustrated grinding wheel 27 where it is desired to sharpen ribs which have previously been formed on the roll, and that a rotary cutting wheel could be substituted for the grinding wheel 27 where it is desired to initially cut the channels in the roll. Thus the apparatus of the present invention is adapted to employ either of these types of machining wheels to form the ribs by either a cutting process or a grinding process.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for forming a plurality of axially directed ribs on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical hard surfaced roll or the like and comprising a frame defining a central axis,

means for rotatably mounting the roll on said frame coaxially with said central axis,

means including a rotatable machining wheel for removing material from the peripheral surface of the roll when said wheel is brought into operative engagement therewith,

means for relatively longitudinally reciprocating said machining wheel and roll such that said wheel moves with respect to the roll in a linear path of travel extending parallel to said central axis and along and beyond said peripheral surface of the roll such that said machining wheel operatively engages the peripheral surface to form an axially directed channel therein during a first portion of its travel and is free of all contact with the roll during a second portion of its travel, and

means for periodically indexing the roll about said central axis a predetermined angle during the second portion of the travel of said machining wheel so that a plurality of adjacent parallel channels may be formed in the peripheral surface and with an axially directed rib being defined between each pair of channels, said indexing means including an indexing wheel rotatably carried on said frame and adapted to be operatively connected to the roll for concurrent rotation, and means for periodically rotating said indexing wheel a predetermined increment with respect to said frame during the second portion of travel of said machining wheel.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said indexing wheel includes a plurality of gear teeth about the periphery thereof, and said means for periodically rotating'the indexing wheel includes a first arm pivotally and translatably mounted on said frame adjacent the indexing wheel and having a rack of gear teeth carried at one end thereof,

first control means for cyclically a. pivoting said first arm such that the rack moves into operative engagement with said indexing wheel gear teeth,

b. forwardly translating said first arm to rotate the indexing wheel a predetermined angle,

0. pivoting said first arm such that the rack moves out of engagement with said indexing wheel teeth, and then d. rearwardly translating said first arm to return the same to its initial position,

a second arm pivotally mounted on said frame adjacent the indexing wheel and having a rack of gear teeth carried at one end thereof, and

second control means for pivoting said second arm such that its rack moves out of operative engagement with said indexing wheel gear teeth when said first arm moves into engagement therewith and its rack moves into operative engagement with said indexing wheel gear teeth when said first arm moves out of engagement therewith.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for periodically rotating the indexing wheel further includes switch means for actuating said first and second control means to rotate the indexing wheel a predetermined increment at the termination of each complete reciprocation of said machining wheel.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said first control means comprises a slot positioned in said first arm and intermediate the ends thereof,

a pivot pin extending through said slot and carried by said frame such that said first arm is adapted to pivot about and translate along said pin,

friction pad means positioned between said pin and first arm for resisting translation of the arm along said pin while permitting free pivotal movement therebetween, and

plunger means connected to the end of said first arm opposite said rack of gear teeth for pivoting the first arm about said pin and then forwardly translating the same during its advance stroke, and reversely pivoting the first arm about said pin and then rearwardly translating the same during its return stroke.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including means for oscillating said roll about said central axis during the first portion of the travel of said machining wheel and with the speed and direction of such oscillation being coordinated to the speed and direction of movement of said machining wheel such that the axially directed ribs are disposed along a helix on the peripheral surface.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said reciprocating means comprises a carriage mounting said machining wheel,

means including a trackway extending parallel to said central axis for supporting said carriage, and

means for reciprocating said carriage along said trackway.

7. An apparatus for forming a plurality of closely adjacent axially directed helical ribs on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical hard surfaced roll or the like and comprising a frame defining a central axis,

means for rotatably mounting the roll on said frame coaxially with said central axis,

a carriage mounting arotatable machining wheel,

means mounted on said frame and including a trackway extending parallel to and laterally spaced from said central axis for slidably supporting said carriage such that the carriage may be translated in a linear path of travel extending parallel to said central axis and along and beyond the peripheral surface of the roll and wherein said machining wheel operatively engages the peripheral surface of the roll to form an axially directed channel therein during a first portion of the travel of the carriage and is free of all contact with the roll during a second portion of the travel of the carriage,

means for reciprocating said carriage along said trackway, means for periodically indexing the roll about said central axis a predetermined angle during the second portion of the travel of said machining wheel so that a plurality of adjacent parallel channels may be formed in the peripheral surface and with an axially directed rib being defined between each pair of channels, and means adapted to operate free of contact with the surface of the roll for oscillating the roll about said central axis during the first portion of the travel of the carriage and with the speed and direction of such oscillation being coordinated to the speed and direction of the reciprocating carriage such that the axially directed ribs are disposed along a helix on the peripheral surface and whereby the apparatus may be employed to initially form helical ribs on the surface of the roll or sharpen previously formed ribs. 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for reciprocating said carriage along said trackway includes a drive wheel rotatably mounted on said frame at each end of said trackway, each of said drive wheels being mounted on an axis extending perpendicular to said central axis,

cable means entrained about said drive wheels and being fixedly connected to said carriage, and

means for rotatably oscillating said drive wheels such that the cable means reciprocates the carriage along said trackway.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for rotatably oscillating said drive wheels includes a reversible motor, and switch means for reversing said motor at the termination of each stroke in the reciprocation of said carriage along said trackway.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for oscillating the roll comprises a shaft rotatably carried on said frame and adapted to be operatively connected to the roll for concurrent rotation, a drum coaxially and rotatably mounted on said shaft, and means operatively connected with said reciprocating means for oscillating said drum at a speed and direction coordinated to the speed and direction of movement of said carriage, and

said means for periodically indexing the roll comprises and indexing wheel coaxially and fixedly carried by said shaft immediately adjacent said drum, and interconnection means carried by said drum for interconnecting said indexing wheel and drum and for periodically rotating said indexing wheel a predetermined increment with respect to said drum during the second portion of travel of said carriage,

whereby the oscillations of the drum are transmitted to the indexing wheel and the roll by said interconnection means, and the indexing wheel and the roll are periodically rotated with respect to the drum and the machining wheel such that the machining wheel forms a different axially directed channel therein.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said shaft is coaxial with said central axis and said means for oscillating said drum includes a second shaft rotatably mounted on said frame along an axis perpendicular to said central axis and immediately below said drum, means operatively connecting said second shaft and one of said drive wheels for concurrent rotation, and second cable means encircling said second shaft and said drum whereby rotation of said drive wheel causes said drum to correspondingly rotate.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said indexing wheel includes a plurality of gear teeth about the periphery thereof, and said interconnection means comprises a first arm pivotally and translatably mounted on said drum and having a rack of gear teeth carried at one end thereof,

a second arm pivotally mounted on said drum and having a rack of gear teeth carried at one end thereof, and

control means for cyclically pivoting and forwardly translating said first arm such that its rack moves into operative engagement with the indexing wheel and forwardly rotates the same while said second arm is moved out of operative engagement with said indexing wheel, and then reversely pivoting and rearwardly translating said first arm to return the same to its initial position while moving said second arm into operative engagement with said indexing wheel.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 further comprising an electric motor mounted on said carriage for rotating said machining wheel.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said machining wheel is mounted for rotation about an axis extending perpendicular to but spaced from said central axis and the periphery of said wheel defines a plane which includes said central axis.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said carriage includes adjustment means for advancing said machining wheel toward and away from said central axis.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said machining wheel comprises a grinding wheel having a V-shaped cross-sectional profile such that the ribs formed in the roll have an inverted V-shaped profile.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said predetermined angle by which the roll is periodically indexed by said indexing means is evenly divisible into 1 l l 2 360 such that the channels conform to the previously and direction of the reciprocation such that the ribs are formed channels as the roll 15 Indexed beyond 360. formed along a helix angle which extends between 18. The apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said oscillating means includes means for coordinating the speed and direction of the oscillation with the speed about 2 and l0 with respect to the axis of the roll. 

1. An apparatus for forming a plurality of axially directed ribs on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical hard surfaced roll or the like and comprising a frame defining a central axis, means for rotatably mounting the roll on said frame coaxially with said central axis, means including a rotatable machining wheel for removing material from the peripheral surface of the roll when said wheel is brought into operative engagement therewith, means for relatively longitudinally reciprocating said machining wheel and roll such that said wheel moves with respect to the roll in a linear path of travel extending parallel to said central axis and along and beyond said peripheral surface of the roll such that said machining wheel operatively engages the peripheral surface to form an axially directed channel therein during a first portion of its travel and is free of all contact with the roll during a second portion of its travel, and means for periodically indexing the roll about said central axis a predetermined angle during the second portion of the travel of said machining wheel so that a plurality of adjacent parallel channels may be formed in the peripheral surface and with an axially directed rib being defined between each pair of channels, said indexing means including an indexing wheel rotatably carried on said frame and adapted to be operatively connected to the roll for concurrent rotation, and means for periodically rotating said indexing wheel a predetermined increment with respect to said frame during the second portion of travel of said machining wheel.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said indexing wheel includes a plurality of gear teeth about the periphery thereof, and said means for periodically rotating the indexing wheel includes a first arm pivotally and translatably mounted on said frame adjacent the indexing wheel and having a rack of gear teeth carried at one end thereof, first control means for cyclically a. pivoting said first arm such that the rack moves into operative engagement with said indexing wheel gear teeth, b. forwardly translating said first arm to rotate the indexing wheel a predetermined angle, c. pivoting said first arm such that the rack moves out of engagement with said indexing wheel teeth, and then d. rearwardly translating said first arm to return the same to its initial position, a second arm pivotally mounted on said frame adjacent the indexing wheel and having a rack of gear teeth carried at one end thereof, and second control means for pivoting said second arm such that its rack moves out of operative engagement with said indexing wheel gear teeth when said first arm moves into engagement therewith and its rack moves into operative engagement with said indexing wheel gear teeth when said first arm moves out of engagement therewith.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for periodically rotating the indexing wheel further includes switch means for actuating said first and second control means to rotate the indexing wheel a predetermined increment at the termination of each complete reciprocation of said machining wheel.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said first control means comprises a slot positioned in said first arm and intermediate the ends thereof, a pivot pin extending through said slot and carried by said frame such that said first arm is adapted to pivot about and translate along said pin, friction pad means positioned between said pin and first arm for resisting translation of the arm along said pin while permitting free pivotal movement therebetween, and plunger means connected to the end of said first arm opposite said rack of gear teeth for pivoting the first arm aBout said pin and then forwardly translating the same during its advance stroke, and reversely pivoting the first arm about said pin and then rearwardly translating the same during its return stroke.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including means for oscillating said roll about said central axis during the first portion of the travel of said machining wheel and with the speed and direction of such oscillation being coordinated to the speed and direction of movement of said machining wheel such that the axially directed ribs are disposed along a helix on the peripheral surface.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said reciprocating means comprises a carriage mounting said machining wheel, means including a trackway extending parallel to said central axis for supporting said carriage, and means for reciprocating said carriage along said trackway.
 7. An apparatus for forming a plurality of closely adjacent axially directed helical ribs on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical hard surfaced roll or the like and comprising a frame defining a central axis, means for rotatably mounting the roll on said frame coaxially with said central axis, a carriage mounting a rotatable machining wheel, means mounted on said frame and including a trackway extending parallel to and laterally spaced from said central axis for slidably supporting said carriage such that the carriage may be translated in a linear path of travel extending parallel to said central axis and along and beyond the peripheral surface of the roll and wherein said machining wheel operatively engages the peripheral surface of the roll to form an axially directed channel therein during a first portion of the travel of the carriage and is free of all contact with the roll during a second portion of the travel of the carriage, means for reciprocating said carriage along said trackway, means for periodically indexing the roll about said central axis a predetermined angle during the second portion of the travel of said machining wheel so that a plurality of adjacent parallel channels may be formed in the peripheral surface and with an axially directed rib being defined between each pair of channels, and means adapted to operate free of contact with the surface of the roll for oscillating the roll about said central axis during the first portion of the travel of the carriage and with the speed and direction of such oscillation being coordinated to the speed and direction of the reciprocating carriage such that the axially directed ribs are disposed along a helix on the peripheral surface and whereby the apparatus may be employed to initially form helical ribs on the surface of the roll or sharpen previously formed ribs.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for reciprocating said carriage along said trackway includes a drive wheel rotatably mounted on said frame at each end of said trackway, each of said drive wheels being mounted on an axis extending perpendicular to said central axis, cable means entrained about said drive wheels and being fixedly connected to said carriage, and means for rotatably oscillating said drive wheels such that the cable means reciprocates the carriage along said trackway.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for rotatably oscillating said drive wheels includes a reversible motor, and switch means for reversing said motor at the termination of each stroke in the reciprocation of said carriage along said trackway.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for oscillating the roll comprises a shaft rotatably carried on said frame and adapted to be operatively connected to the roll for concurrent rotation, a drum coaxially and rotatably mounted on said shaft, and means operatively connected with said reciprocating means for oscillating said drum at a speed and direction coordinated to the speed and direction of movement of said carriage, and said means for periodically indexing the roll comprises and indexing wheel coaxially and fixedly carried by said shaft immediately adjacent said drum, and interconnection means carried by said drum for interconnecting said indexing wheel and drum and for periodically rotating said indexing wheel a predetermined increment with respect to said drum during the second portion of travel of said carriage, whereby the oscillations of the drum are transmitted to the indexing wheel and the roll by said interconnection means, and the indexing wheel and the roll are periodically rotated with respect to the drum and the machining wheel such that the machining wheel forms a different axially directed channel therein.
 11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said shaft is coaxial with said central axis and said means for oscillating said drum includes a second shaft rotatably mounted on said frame along an axis perpendicular to said central axis and immediately below said drum, means operatively connecting said second shaft and one of said drive wheels for concurrent rotation, and second cable means encircling said second shaft and said drum whereby rotation of said drive wheel causes said drum to correspondingly rotate.
 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said indexing wheel includes a plurality of gear teeth about the periphery thereof, and said interconnection means comprises a first arm pivotally and translatably mounted on said drum and having a rack of gear teeth carried at one end thereof, a second arm pivotally mounted on said drum and having a rack of gear teeth carried at one end thereof, and control means for cyclically pivoting and forwardly translating said first arm such that its rack moves into operative engagement with the indexing wheel and forwardly rotates the same while said second arm is moved out of operative engagement with said indexing wheel, and then reversely pivoting and rearwardly translating said first arm to return the same to its initial position while moving said second arm into operative engagement with said indexing wheel.
 13. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 further comprising an electric motor mounted on said carriage for rotating said machining wheel.
 14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said machining wheel is mounted for rotation about an axis extending perpendicular to but spaced from said central axis and the periphery of said wheel defines a plane which includes said central axis.
 15. The apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said carriage includes adjustment means for advancing said machining wheel toward and away from said central axis.
 16. The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said machining wheel comprises a grinding wheel having a V-shaped cross-sectional profile such that the ribs formed in the roll have an inverted V-shaped profile.
 17. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said predetermined angle by which the roll is periodically indexed by said indexing means is evenly divisible into 360* such that the channels conform to the previously formed channels as the roll is indexed beyond 360*.
 18. The apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said oscillating means includes means for coordinating the speed and direction of the oscillation with the speed and direction of the reciprocation such that the ribs are formed along a helix angle which extends between about 2* and 10* with respect to the axis of the roll. 